James Horwill carried scars of battle in Perth © Getty Images

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Queensland rugby legend Stan Pilecki has accused the Reds of giving up against Western Force ay nib Stadium in Perth, saying he was "embarrassed and disgusted with the efforts shown on Saturday".

"I find it hard to support a team that doesn't support itself," Pilecki wrote in an email to 250 former state players. "I was embarrassed and disgusted with the efforts shown on Saturday. I don't mind losing as long as you try to win - have a go! Not too many guys had a go on Saturday. They showed little pride in the jersey."

Reds prop James Slipper said the scathing criticism from Pilecki - after whom Queensland's best-and-fairest medal is named - was off the mark.

Stan Pilecki said Beau Robinson and the Reds players "showed little pride in the jersey" against Western Force © Getty Images

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"What he said, it's just disappointing," Slipper said of Pilecki's comments.

"I was out there in the field of battle so I knew what was going on. Our halfback played the majority of the second half with a broken jaw. Numerous other players were split open. So to question our effort and our motivation and our willingness to play for the Red jersey is pretty upsetting. Every week we put in.

"It seems as though everyone has a go at you when you're down. It's an Australian trend."

Slipper said, however, that Pilecki's words would motivate the Reds as they bid to end their season with a victory against title-chasing New South Wales Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. The Waratahs have already locked up first spot and a home final while the Reds sit 12th on the ladder.

"The game against the Waratahs this weekend is real exciting for the boys, just to get out there in front of our home crowd and to give back to our supporters," Slipper said, noting the visitors are riding a club-record six game-winning streak and are hungry to carry the momentum into the finals.

"We understand that they've had a really good year and they're deservedly at the top of the table. Taking nothing away from that, I just don't like seeing NSW win anything - in any sport. So going into this weekend, that's a major cue for us to make sure we bring our A game and make sure we really front up."

The Reds are very much playing for pride, but Waratahs winger Rob Horne said there was no room for complacency in the New South Wales ranks.

"It's Super Rugby for one," Horne said. "Playing at Suncorp, they feel good when they play there. When they run out, they feel comfortable. So that's already a big challenge for us heading up there. And No.2, it's a New South Wales-Queensland game; the form guide goes out the window every year with that game."